Vehicle jack



Jan. H Q SQUTH VEHICLE JACK Filed Nov. 24, 1959 Swim/wko@ 2 Sheets-Sheet l Houh Patented Jan. 2l, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENTA OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates .to vehicle jacks and more particularly to a jack structure which is adapted to hold the body of the vehicle in a level position irrespective of the angular position of the chassis and wheels.

An object of this invention is to provide a jack structure of this kind which is secured to the underside of a vehicle body and'` which may, at will, be operated to lift one side or end of the body so as to maintain the body in a horizontal position. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure of this kind including a plurality of fluid operated jacks and an improved controlling means for controlling the flow of fluid to selected jacks so as to level the body of the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a jack structure of this kind means for rendering the operating means for the jack in# effective after the body of the vehicle has been levelled or raised to a. predetermined point.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a jack structure of this kindA a single control means whereby the jacks may be operated in one position of the control means to raise or level the body of the vehicle and in another position of the control means to move the jacks vertically to permit the body of the vehicle to assume its normal position with respect to the wheels or vehicle Aframe structure. A

A further object of this invention is to provide a structure Aof this kind including a single pressure means which may be connected to the vehicle battery or which if desired may be connected to other sources of electric current supply.

A further object of this invention is to provide a structure of this kind which includes an improved electric circuit connected to the power member for the pressure pump so that the power member will be cut oif when the vehicle has been raised to a predetermined point or lowered to a predetermined point, the electric circuit being associated with the uid control means so that the operation of the control means will be correlated with the electrical power member for the pressure pump.

To the foregoing objects and to others lwhich may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment oi the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, modincations and variations may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view partly in section of a uid operated jack structure constructed 5 according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of a portion of the jack structure and operating means therefor,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 10 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken through the controlling member,

Figure 5 is' a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electric: circuit embodied in this invention, Vand Y Figure 8 is a detailed end elevation of the -20 controlling member.

Referring -to the drawings, the character B designates generally the body of the vehicle which may be the body of a trailer or other vehicle which is mounted on a chassis being sup- 25 ported by springs from the chassis in the normal manner. The body B has secured to each of the four corners thereof a fluid operated jack structure generally designated as I Il. The jack structure I0 is provided with an upper base plate 30 Il secured as by fastening members I3 to the bottom I2 of the body B. A plunger I4 is slidably carried by the jack structure Il) being provided with a lower head I5 which is adapted when in projected position to engage the ground 35 or other plane surface.

The cylinder I6 of the jack Ill has a uid pipe I1 connected at one end thereto and the opposite end of the pipe I 'I to a valve housing which is connected to a main fluid pipe line I8 positioned 40 beneath the body B as will be hereinafter described. 'I'he main pipe line I8 as shown in Figure 1 is of substantially rectangular configuration and has a pipe I 1 extending therefrom to each jack III positioned at the four corners oi.' 45 the body B. 'Ihe pipe I8 is connected to a uid controlling member or multiple valve structure generally designated as I9. The valve structure I9 constitutes a manually operated selector means for regulating the fiow of liquid from the pump or pressure means P to the Valves 52 and to the i reservoir 39 so that the operation of the pump need not be reversed to either project or retract the Jacks I I. This valve structure I 9 may be positioned at any desired point within the body B 55 and remote from the bottom I2. 'I'he controlling member or valve I 9 comprises a cylindrical housing 28 provided at one end with an end wall 2| and at the other end with a head 22 which may be threaded or otherwise removably mounted in the cylinder 20.

A valve plug 23 is rotatably mounted in the cylinder and has an operating shaft 24 secured thereto which extends through a bore 25, provided in the head 22. A handle or operator 26 is secured to -the extended end of the shaft or stem 24. A spring 21 may be mounted within the cylinder 20 about the shaft 24, bearing at one end against the inner end of the head 22 and at the other end against the plug 23. 'I'he cylinder 20 is provided with a iluid port 28 and the valve plug 23 is provided with an arcuate fluid passage 29 which in one position of the plug 23 is adapted' to communicate at one end with the port 28. The cylinder 28 is provided with a second passage or port 38 which when the passage 29 communicates with the port 28 is adapted to communicate with the opposite end of the passage 29 so as to thereby provide communication from the port 28 to the port 30. The port 30 has one end of a pressure pipe line 3| connected thereto and the opposite end of the'pressure line 3| is connected to the outlet or pressure side 32 of a pressure pump P.

The pump P has the intake or suction side 33 connected to one end of a suction pipe line 34. The opposite end of the suction line 34 is connected to a suction port 35 formed in the cylinder 2U. A second suction port 36 is formed in the cylinder 20 and the valve plug 231s provided with an arcuate uid passage 31 which is adapted to communicate the port 35 with the port 36. The port 36 has one end of a suction pipe line 38 connected thereto and the opposite end of the suction pipe line 38 is connected to the lower por- 40 tion of a fluid reservoir 39. The reservoir 39 is adapted to be positioned at any suitable point relative to the body B and is provided with a vent 40 in the top wall 4| thereof.

The valve plug 23 is also provided with a second pair of fluid passages 42 and 43 which are spaced from the passages 29 and 31: The cylinder 2l] is provided with a pair of ports 44 and 45 which are adapted to communicate with the passage 42 in one position of the plug 23 and the cylinder 20 is also provided with a second pair of ports 46 and 41 which are adapted to communicate with the passage 43 when the passage 42 communicates the two ports 44 and 45 together. The pipe line I8 is provided with a branch 48 which is connected to the port 44 and a branch 49 is connected to the port 45 and is also connected tothe suction pipe 34. The port 41 is connected by a branch pipe 58 to the pipe 3| and the port 46 is connected by a pipe 5| to the reservoir 39 adjacent the upper portion of the reservoir 39. This pipe 5I comprises a return pipe for returning the liquid to the reservoir 39 when the controlling member I9 is operated so that the pump P will withdraw the liquid from the lack cylinder I6 05 and thereby positively raise the plunger members I4. l v

A jack controlling valve generally designated as 52 is associated with each jack I8 and is interposed in the branch pipe I1. The valve structure 52 comprises a valve housing 53 having a valve plug 54 slidableV therein. The valvehousing 153 is provided with diametrically opposed ports 55 and 66 and when the vehicle body B is in a level position, the valve plug 54 will be in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 wherein the plug 54 untened by fastening devices 63 to the bottom wall I2 by means of a substantially universal coupling 64. The pendulum 6| is provided at its lower end with a substantially spherical head 65 and a stem 66 which projects downwardly therefrom. A spider structure comprising a ring 61 is secured to the pendulum 6| above the head 65 and a plu- 'rality of radially arranged arms 68 are formed with the ring 61. Each arm 68 is connected by means of a substantially universal coupling 69 to the inner end of a link 59. By providing the 'per end to a supporting plate 62 which is fas'- universal coupling means 60 and 69 and the universal coupling 64 the pendulum 6I .may swing in any desiredposition relative to the body B and when the pendulum 6I swings to a vertical position with the body B at an angle relative to the horizontal the pendulum 6| will move therewith all of the valve plugs 54. In this manner the valve plugs 54 on the low side of the body B will be moved forwardly and away from the ports 55 and 56 whereas the valve plugs 54 on the high side of the body B will be pulled across the ports 55 and 56 so as to Ithereby close these ports and prevent any liquid from entering the jack cylinders I6 which are on the high side of the body B.

A pendulum keeper generally designated as I0 is supported from a supporting structure 1I which is secured tothe bottom wall I2 of the vehicle. rI'he keeper structure 'I6 comprises a lever 12 which at one end is pivotally mounted on a standard or bearing structure 13 and the opposite end of the lever 12v has a ring or eye 14 fixed thereto. This ring or eye 14 when the keeper 18 is in locked position is adapted to snugly engage about the head 65 of the pendulum 6| so as to hold the pendulum 6|. against swinging movement in any direction. A spring 15gengages at one end against the bottom `'I6 of the support 'II and at the other end engages against the under side of the lever 12. In this manner, the ring or keeper member 14 is normally held in engagement with the head 65.

In order to provide a means whereby the keeper member 10 may be moved to released position when the control member I9 is operated, I have provided a cylinder 'I1 having a piston 'I8 slidable therein. A rod 19 is connected at one end to the piston 18 4and at the other end is connected t0 the lever 12. The head of the cylinder 11 has one end ofY a pipe 8| connected to the pipe I8.

An electrical motor M is mounted in a position where the shaft 82 thereof will operate the pump P and the electric motor M is connected by Wires 83 to a three-way switch 84. 'I'he switch.84 is provided with an operating member 85 which extends through the top wall 4| of the reservoir 39 and is connected to one end of a float operated lever 86. The lever 86 is pivotally mounted on a bearing structure 81 supported within the reservoir 39 and the free end of the lever 86 has a float 88 fixed thereto. `'Ihe three-way switch. structure 84 is connected by means of wires 89 and 90 to a second three-way switch structure 9|. The switch 9| is operatively connected with the shaft 24 o1 the controlling member I9. 'Ihe switch structure 84 includes a pair of contacts 92 and 93 which are connected to the wires 89 and 90 respectively and also includes a switch arm 94 which is connected to a terminal 85. The terminal 95 is connected to one wire 83. The wiper 94 .is connected to the operating link 85 so that when the fluid in the reservoir 39 is at its lowermost level, the swi-tch arm or wiper 94 will connect the -terminal 95 with the contact 93.

When the reservoir 39.,.is substantially filled the wiper or switch arm 94 will connect the terminal 95 `with the terminal or contact 92. When the valve structures 52 are vin normal position, all of these valves will be in open posi-tion so that the ports 55 and 56 will be in communication with each other through the cylinders 53. In this position the pendulum I is in a vertical position being held thereby by the keeper 10. At this time the reservoir 39 is substantially iilled with liquid. After the keeper 10 has been released as will be hereinafter described so as to permit the pendulum 5| to swing to a vertical position with the body B inclined to the horizontal, the Valves on .the high side of the body B will be drawn across the ports 55 and 56 of the high side valves 52 thus cutting off the iiow of liquid from the main line I8 through the cylinder 53 and the pipe' I1 to the jacks I0 on the high side. The valves 52 on the low side of the body B will be moved outwardly of .the cylinders 53 by the swinging of the pendulum 6I. Initially the handle 26 of the manually operated selector means I9 is swung to a position communicating Ithe pressure side of the pump P with the fluid line I8. The pressure built up in the pressure line I8 will also be communicated to the pipe line 8| and the keeper cylinder 11 so as to thereby move the piston 18 in this cylinder downwardly and swing the keeper downwardly to a released position. When the keeper 10 is in a released position, the pendulum 5| may then swing to a vertical or perpendicular position with the body B inclined and the swinging of the pendulum 6| to a vertical position will move the valves 52 on the low side to a, further open position whereas the valves on the high side will be drawn across the ports 55 and 58 so as to close these valves. The liquid will then be pumped from -the reservoir 39 into the fluid line I8 through the low side valves 52 into the low side jacks I0 so as to raise these jacks and level the body B.

After thevbody B has been levelled, the motor M may be cut olf either manually or will be cut oil! by the float operated switch 84. 'Ihe transformer T which is connected to the main switch structure and to the plug or connector I|3 is adapted to be used where house current is available and it is not desired to use the currentl from thebattery |06.

The switch structure 9| includes a pair of terminals 96 and 91 connected vto the wires 89 and 90 respectively and also includes a Iterminal 98 having a wiper 98 connected thereto. The wiper` 99 is xedly secured to the shaft 24 and is operable thereby. The motor M has the second wire 83a connected to a terminal |00 of a main switch |0I and this switch I0| is provided with a second terminal |02 which is connected by a wire |03 to -the terminal 98. A second pair of terminals or connected by wires |09 and ||0 respectively to the output side of a transformer T. The input side of the transformer T is provided with input wires III and II2 which are connected to a plug or connector II3 so that the transformer T may be connected to a source of house current supply operating on 110-120 volts. The transformer T is adapted to step down this house current to approximately six volts which will operate the motor M.

f In the use and operation of this jack structure, when it is desired to raise one side or end of the vehicle body B, -thecontrolling member I8 has the plug 23 thereof rotated to the position shown in Figure 5. In this position the pressure side 32 of the pump P communicates with the pipe I8 through the iiuid passage 29. When the plug 23 is in the position shown in Figure 5, the wiper 99 will -be in the position shown in Figure 7. At this time, the reservoir 39 will be filled with liquid and the wiper 94 Will connect the terminal 95 with the terminal 92 so as to complete the electric circuit from the battery |06 through the wires |03, 89 and 83 to one side of the motor M whereas the opposite side of the motor M is connected to the battery |06 through the wire 83a, terminal |00 and contact |05. I

The pendulum 6| at this time will be held against swinging movement by the keeper 10 but as the pressure is built up in the pipe I8 and in the pipe 8| this pressure will force the piston 18 downwardly so as to move the keeper 10 to a released position. In the released position of the keeper 10, the pendulum 6| may freely swing to a vertical position and as the pendulum 6| swings to a vertical posi-tion, the valve plugs 54 on the high side of the vehicle body B will be pulled across the valve ports 55 and 56 thereby closing these ports. The valve plugs 54 on the low side of the body B will be moved forwardly beyond the ports 55 and 56 thus permitting the liquid to iiow through the ports 55 and 56 and the pipe II to the low cylinders I6. The plungers I4 on the low side of the body B will then be moved downwardly until they contact with the ground whereupon .the body B on the low side will be raised until it reaches a substantially horizontal position. When the body B is in a substantially horizontal position all of the valve plugs 54 will be in a port uncovering position so that all of the jacks will at this time be operated to raise the body B. This raising movement will continue until the reservoir 39 hasisuiiiclent quanti-ty of liquid withdrawn therefrom to permit the float 88 to move the switcharm 94 out of engagement with the contact 92. In the lowermost position of the float 88 the switch arm 94 will connect the terminal 95 with the contact 93. The circuit to the motor M will thus be broken.

When it is desired to lower the vehicle body the handle 26 is swung in a clockwise direction so as to bring the passages 42 and 43 into communication with the ports 44 and 45 and the ports 45 and 41 respectively. In this position of the valve plugl23 the suction side 33 of the pump P is connected Ito the pipe I8 so that the liquid in the pipe IB will be drawn back into the reservoir as. At the time thel handle 2s is moved will be swung out of engagement with the terminal 93 and into engagement with the terminal 92.

The use of the two 3-way switch structures 84 and 9| will permit the operation of the motor M by theselector means |9 when the selector means I9 is moved from a position communicating the pressure side oi the pump P with the jacks |0 to the suction side of the pump. Assuming that the reservoir 39 is filled, the oat member 89 will be in an uppermost position and in thisposition the wiper 94 will connect the terminals 92 and 95 together. The wiper 99 will be swung to a position connecting the termin-al 98 with the terminal 99 thus completing the circuit on one side to the terminal |02 o1' the main switch. I'he wire 93a is connected directly to the motor M and to the terminal |00. When the vehicle has been raised to the desired position in the event the float 88 does not swing the wiper 94 out of engagement with the contact 92, the switch structure 9| may be operated by the handle 26 so as to connect the suction side of the pump P with the pipe line |8 and with the Jacks |0.

In practice, however, the float structure `89 is so arranged that when the vehicle body B is sub-v stantially horizontal, the float 98 will swing the wiper 94 from the terminal 92 to the terminal 93 and as at this time the wiper 99 is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 7 connecting the terminals 98 and 98, the circuit -to the motor M will thereby be broken. In this manner it is not necessary to operate the selector structure I9 so as to simultaneously cut off the pressure side of the pump P and also swing the wiper 99 from the terminal 96 to the terminal 91.

With the liquid in the reservoir 39 at its lower level andthe wiper 94 connecting the terminals 93 and 95 as shown in i'ull lines in Figure '7, the circuit will be broken to the terminal |02. It will 'be understood that when the liquid in the reservoir is at its lower level the vehicle body and the reservoir 39 will be substantially horizontal, so that the condition of the wheels will not affect the operation of the oat 88. The motor M may again be operated when it is desired to retract the jacks 0 by swinging the handle 26,01 the selector means |9 so as to rotate the plug 33 and connect the suction side of the pump P with the uid line I8 and jacks |0. When the reservoir 39 is substantially illed with the returned liquid which is drawn from the jacks |0 and from the keeper operating structure 11, the float structure 88 will pull the link 85 downwardly and thereby swing the wiper 94 from the terminal 99 to the terminal 92. The circuit to the motor M which is active When the selector means I9 is connected to the suction side oi the pumpP will thereby be broken so as to make it unnecessary to swing the handle 28 in order to break the circuit in the switch 9|.

When the liquid is withdrawn from the cylinders |9, the liquid will also be withdrawn from the keeper operating cylinder 11 so that the keeper 10 will be moved by the spring 19 into eng-agement with the pendulum head 9|. 'Ihe stem 69 on the lower end of the head 95 will prevent undue swinging movement of the head 95 and thus .maintain this head in a position for engagement with the ring 1I when the ring Il is raised to a locked position by the spring 15.

In order to provide a means whereby the jacks l0 may be held in their projected position to hold the body B raised when the motor M stops, a check valve ||I may be interposed in the pressure line 3| so as to prevent return of the uid kfrom the pipe line 8 .through the selector 9 when the selector is turned -to a position to raise means, an operator for said pump, spring pressed means normally holding said pendulum against movement, and iiuid actuated means correlated with said holding means and said pump for shifting said holding means to released position.

2. A vehicle levelling means comprising a plurality of uid actuated 'jacks disposed beneath the vehicle, a valve connected to each jack, a pump, a manually operated selector means connected to each side of said pump, an operatorfcr said pump, means connecting said selector means to said valves, a reservoir connected to said selector means, said selector means regulating the ow oi' liquid from the' pump to said valves and said reservoir, and gravity actua-ted means connected to said valves for operation thereby.

3. A vehicle levelling means comprising a plurality of uid actuated jacks disposed adjacent the corners of the vehicle, a valve connected to each jack, a pump, a manually operated selector pipe means connected vto the pressure and suction sides of said pump, an operator for said pump, pipe means connecting said selector means to said valves, a reservoir connected to said selector means, gravity actuated means connected to said valves for operation of said valves thereby, and means connected to said selector means and correlated with said gravity actuated means for normally holding said gravi-ty actuated means against operation by gravity.

4. A vehicle levelling means comprising a plurality of fluid actuated jacks disposed adjacent the corners of the vehicle, a valve connected to each jack, a pump, a manually operated selector means connected to both the pressure and suction sides of said pump, an operator for said pump. pipes connecting said selector means with said valves, a reservoir, inlet and outlet pipes connected to said reservoir and said selector means, a pendulum pivotally carried by said vehicle, means connecting said pendulum with said valves, a keeper, pivotal mounting means for said keeper, yieldable means normally holding said keeper in a position to hold said pendulum against swinging movement and fluid actuated means engaging said keeper and correlated with said selector means whereby to communicate said fluid actuated means with the pressure side of said pump when said valves are connected to lthe pressure side of said pump.

5. A vehicle levelling means comprising a plurality of fluid actuated jacks disposed adjacent the corners of the vehicle, a pump, a manually operated selector means connected to both the pressure and suction sides of said pump, a valve for each jack interposed in the connections between said selector'A and said pump, a gravity actuated valve operator connected to said valves, an electric motor for said pump, a fluid reservoir connected to said selector, a float operated three way switch carried by said reservoir and connected to said motor for controlling the operation thereof in accordance with the depth of liquid in 'for each jack interposed in the connections berality'of fluid actuated Jacks disposed adjacent the corners of the vehicle, a pump, a manually operated selector' means connected to both the pressure and suction sides of said pump, a valve for each jack interposed in the connections between said selector and said pump, a gravity actuated valve operator connected to said valves,

' an electric motor for said pump, a vIluid reservoir connected to said selector, a iioat operated threeway switch carried by said reservoir and connected to `said motor for controlling the operation thereof in accordance with the depth of liquid in said reservoir, a second three-way switch actuated by said selector and connected to said iirst switch and to a source o1' current supply for connection with or cutting off the current supply from said rst switch, a keeper for said valve operator, means normally holding said keeper in a position to hold said valve operator against movement, and fluid actuated means connected to said keeper and to said selector whereby to .shift said keeper to released position when said selector communicates the pressure side of said pump with said valves.

7. A vehicle levelling means comprising a plurality of fluid actuated jacks disposed adjacent the corners of the vehicle, a pump, a manually operated selector means connected to both the pressure and suction sides of said pump, a valve tween said selector and said pump, a gravity actuated valve operator connected to said valves, an .electric motor for said pump, a uid reservoir connected to said selector, a oat operated threeway switch carried by said reservoir and connected to said motor for controlling the operation thereof in accordance with the depth of liquid in said reservoir, a second three-way switch actuated by said selector and connected to said first switch and to a source of current supply for connection with or cutting ofi the current from said first switch, a pivoted lever, a keeper carried by said lever engageable with said valve operator for holding said valve'operator against movement, a spring engaging said lever normally holding said keeper in engagement -with said valve operator. and iiuid actuated means connected to said lever and to said selector whereby to shift said keeper to released position when said selector communi-` cates `the pressure side of said pump with said valves.

8. A vehicle levelling means comprising a plurality of fluid actuated jacks disposed beneath the vehicle, a `valve connected to each jack, a pump, a manually operated selector means connected to each side of said pump, an operator for said pum-p, means connecting said selector means to said valves, a reservoir connected to said selector means, said selector means regulating the flow of liquid from the pump to said valves and said reservoir, and means connected to said valves for operation thereby.

`HENRY C. SOUTH. 

